Telegraph-key



\ (N13l Model.)

J. T. GUTHRIE. TELEGRAPH KEY No.,267,878. Patented Nov. Z1, 1882.Y

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l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES T. GU'IHRIE,OF LEESBURG, OHIO.

TELEGRAPH-KEY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 267,878, dated November 21, 1882. Application tiled September 13,` 1882. (No model.)

T all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES T. GUTHRIE, of Leesburg, in the county of Highland and State of Ohio, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Telegraphic Keys and I do hereby declare that the following is a y full, clear, and exact description thereof, ref- I cated bythe ,dotted line x a: on Figs. 1 and 2.

The nature of my invention consists in a ielegraphic key which is provided with acircuit-closer which is independent ot' the key, and which will be fully setforthin the following description,when taken in connection with the annexed drawings, which I have above referred to.

The letter A designates the base of the instrument, and B a frame,which is secured upon the base A. C designates the well-known keylever, which may be pivoted to the standards D of the frame B, with set and jam nuts in the usual well-known manner. The shortest arm of this key-lever has applied to it the usual set-screw and jamnut, the point a of which set-screw is brought in contact with a base, which is electrically connected with the post F by a wire in the usual manner. The opposite pole is electrically connected with a device which is secured to the front end of the frame B by a wire, N, which is electrically connected to the post F. This arrangement establishes an electrical connection through the line when the key-lever is depressed.

NoWI shall describe myimprovement, which consists in a circuit-closinglever, G, which articulatcs at the rear end about the well-known pivot by means of a nut, holding it in place on one side of the key-lever, and allowing suiiicient play. 0n top of the key C, at the fulcrum thereof, `is secured one end of a spring, H, the other end of which bears on the lip b of the circuit-closin g lever G, which always keeps the circuit closed, except when the key is being manipulated. 'lhecircuit-closing lever G is of 4 sufficient length to bring the button G (which is of curved form and which is a non-conductor of electricity) directly over the button on the key proper.-

In operating the device the fingers of the human hand are slipped between the two buttons, thus opening the circuit. which is then held open while operating. The circuit-closing lever G is guided by means ot' a side loop, c, secured to the side of the key. On the lower edge of thelever G is formed a tapered or wed ge-shaped extension, d, which is adapted to fit closelyinto a wedge-shaped opening formed between two jaws, c c, fixed to the frame B, thus forming a triple dust-proof connection on both the sides and bottom of the said wedgeextension er.

The` usual spiral spring, J, is employed for the purposeof raising the longest arm of the key-lever, and at the shortest arm ot' this lever is applied the well-known adjusting-screw and jam-nut.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination, with a telegraphic key, of a circuit-closing lever pivoted at its rear end to the fulcrum-rod of said key, the spring H acting on thislevelgthe button on the front end thereof, the wedge-shaped extension and thebifurcated bearing for receiving said extension, all constructed and operating substantially in the manner and for the purposes described. i

2. The combination of the pivoted key, provided with a button on one armfthe supporting-frame thereof, the adjusting-screw there-` for, the spring J, the circuit-closing lever G, the curved button G on the free end of this lever, the guide for the latter, and the holdingdown spring, all adaptedto operate in union, substantially in the manner and for the purposes described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I ax my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WM. S. HOUGH, GEo. W; HoUGH. 

